A nurse practitioner or doctor who lives and works in rural and remote Australia will have their HELP debt wiped under legislation passed by the Australian Government.
Nurse practitioners and doctors who choose to live and work in the places that need them the most will have their HELP debt wiped or reduced.
The HELP debt reduction for nurse practitioner or a doctor will depend on the length of their course of study, and the amount of outstanding HELP debt when they commence providing eligible services in an eligible location.
While the amount of benefit will vary, some doctors who live and work in rural and remote parts of Australia could save on average $70,000 and a nurse practitioner could save up to $20,000.
It means that a nurse practitioner or doctor who lives and works in:
- A remote or very remote town for a time period of half the length of their course would have their entire HELP debt wiped.
- A large, medium or small rural town for a time period equal to the whole length of their course would have their entire HELP debt wiped.
- An eligible place for a period of time equivalent to half the time required is eligible to half the applicable debt reduction.
The Government expects this legislation will attract about 850 nurse practitioners and doctors every year.
For nurse practitioners, the legislation will go towards covering a Master’s Degree in Commonwealth supported study, a full fee-paying place, or a combination of both.
Eligible locations are determined by the Modified Monash Model which classifies remoteness. The measures are effective from 1 January 2022.
Department of Health and Aged Care Media Release
